Doctrine and Covenants 124: 45-55

 

💖 When obedience felt difficult, how did the Lord show you that He was aware of your efforts?

"45 And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.

46 But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute mine holy grounds, and mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which I give unto them.

47 And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.

48 For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me, saith the Lord.

49 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.

50 And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God.

51 Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.

52 And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.

53 And this I make an example unto you, for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression, saith the Lord your God.

54 For I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.

55 And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life." (Doctrine and Covenants 124: 45-55)

And here's the commentary entitled: "The Lord blesses people who strive to obey His commandments." :

"The Saints had been commanded to build a temple in Jackson County, Missouri, but were “hindered by their enemies” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:51). Verses 49–55 contain a reassuring message for people who want to obey God’s commandments but are prevented from doing so because of family or other circumstances. What counsel do you find in these verses that could help someone in such a situation?"

There was a time when I was in high school and I wanted to attend the seminary class but my wouldn't want me to go. So I decided to leave our house and attended the seminary class even without my mom's permission. I felt blessed for what I learned in Seminary that day. When I applied for my mission I didn't ask permission from my mom. And when it's about time for me to leave to go to the mission field, it seemed like only my father was supportive of my decision. And yet when I was already in my mission, my mom was sending me her letter every week. The Lord did bless me by touching my mother's heart that she decided to show me her support. And I was able to see that my mom does love me.

If you have the desire to obey God's commandments even when you're not getting the support of your loved ones, stay faithful in all things. Remember that the Lord is in charge. He will touch the hearts of your loved ones and they will eventually support you. And remember that when you prove unto the Lord that you are faithful in all things, He will "bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life."